Personal Growth

Recommended Reading List

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The book list below is recommended reading for emotional growth. The descriptions are written by various editors and reviewers. My specific comments are in quotes, usually at the beginning, and followed by my initials. To purchase, just click on the book title in its associated description.

“The dialogues in this book will seem awkward at first simply because we’re not used to speaking this way. Stay with this, though. In time you’ll create your own style. The important thing is the intention behind your conversations. Following the guidance given here can turn your life around!”—B.M.

Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life is an enlightening look at how peaceful communication can create compassionate connections with family, friends, and other acquaintances. The book uses stories, examples, and sample dialogues to provide solutions to communication problems both at home and in the workplace. Guidance is provided on identifying and articulating feelings and needs, expressing anger fully, and exploring the power of empathy in order to speak honestly without creating hostility, break patterns of thinking that lead to anger and depression, and communicate compassionately. These non-violent communication skills are fully explained and can be applied to personal, professional, and political differences. Included in this new edition is information on how to compassionately connect with oneself.

Ask and It Is Given, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, which presents the teachings of the nonphysical entity Abraham, will help you learn how to manifest your desires so that you’re living the joyous and fulfilling life you deserve. As you read, you’ll come to understand how your relationships, health issues, finances, career concerns, and more are influenced by the Universal laws that govern your time/space reality-and you’ll discover powerful processes that will help you go with the positive flow of life. It’s your birthright to live a life filled with everything that is good-and this book will show you how to make it so in every way!

Tony Burroughs was a young man living in Hawaii, when an older philosopher sage took him under his wing and became his mentor at an exotic fruit farm on the big island. Over a period of ten years, Tony learned how to farm as well as “The Information,” a series of oral lessons, comprising a body of deep teachings about the very meaning of life, the history of mankind, and how to not just exist but to evolve and live a meaningful life filled with love, peace and abundance. A core teaching was in regard to intention-setting and Tony and two friends started a weekly circle to try it out. This first humble circle of three people had dramatic and life-changing effects that have resulted in Tony Burrough’s life-long mission to guide others in the art of manifesting the best in themselves, their lives, and for the highest good of all. The tenet of Get What You Want is simple, powerful and profound: “that which you are reaching toward is also reaching out toward you.”

Radical Forgiveness: This is NOT just another book on forgiveness; this one provides the necessary tools to help you forgive profoundly, more or less instantaneously and with ease. This book will more than likely change your life. It will transform how you view your past and what is occurring for you in the present, especially where relationships are concerned. Unlike other forms of forgiveness, radical forgiveness is easily achieved and virtually immediate, enabling you to let go of being a victim, open your heart and raise your vibration. The simple, easy-to-use tools provided help you let go of the emotional baggage of the past and to feel the joy of living in total surrender to the process of life as it unfolds, however it unfolds. The result is vastly increased happiness, personal power and freedom.

“In my opinion, Hal and Sidra Stone are geniuses! Their work has been evolving over decades. It is cutting-edge philosophy regarding accepting ourselves and others; it is the ultimate guide to bringing lightness to our shadow selves.” —B.M.

Embracing Each Other is a companion book to Embracing Our Selves, a major contribution to our understanding of how relationships work. Drs. Hal and Sidra Stone show how each relationship provides an opportunity for growth. In a non-judgmental, very human fashion, they explain how to use the relationships in your life-and particularly the uncomfortable aspects of these relationships-as a path of self-discovery, healing and expanded consciousness. This is a delightful introduction to the dance of your selves in relationship, whether they be romantic, familial or work-related.

Embracing Ourselves – The Voice Dialogue Training Manual by Hal Stone, PhD and Sidra Stone, PhD is the revolutionary work that you have heard so much about! Written for the psychologically minded lay person, but hailed as a potential clinical text, it provides a clearly written, entertaining, in-depth introduction to your inner family of selves. Learn how these inner selves develop and how they can affect your life as Drs. Hal and Sidra Stone describe the Psychology of Selves. See how you can contact these selves and understand them using the Voice Dialogue method.

Since the Publication of The Biology of Belief, Dr. Bruce H. Lipton has been widely embraced as one of the most accessible and knowledgeable voices of new biology. In the past, we’ve been taught that living beings are like machines run by biochemicals and DNA, explains Dr. Bruce H. Lipton. What we now know is that our entire biology is shaped by the intelligence of each of our 50 trillion cells. And the single most important way to influence them is through the energy of our beliefs. In The Biology of Belief — an original author adaptation of Dr. Lipton’s revolutionary book — this world-renowned cellular biologist explores the mysteries of:

The science of epigenetics — why biologists must look further than DNA to find out what shapes life — and how that affects you

Bridging the gap between quantum mechanics and biology — the key to knowing how your cells listen to the energy of your thoughts

The chemistry of stress and love — how your body, mind, and immune system change with each emotional state

Turning the immense power of your subconscious mind into your most valuable tool for health and well-being, and much more

“Here’s a book that’s easy to read and helps to explain and deal with the things we just are not able to accept about ourselves.”—B.M.

The Dark Side of the Light Chasers: Reclaiming Your Power, Creativity, Brilliance, and Dreams: We know the shadow by many names: alter ego, lower self, the dark twin, repressed self, id. Carl Jung once said that the shadow “is the person you would rather not be.” But even if you choose to hide your dark side, it will still cast a shadow, according to author Debbie Ford. Rather than reject the seemingly undesirable parts of ourselves, Ford offers advice on how to confront our shadows. Only by owning every aspect of yourself can you achieve harmony and “let your own light shine,” she explains. “The purpose of doing shadow work, is to become whole. To end our suffering. To stop hiding ourselves from ourselves. Once we do this we can stop hiding ourselves from the rest of the world.”

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, by Pema Chodron. The beautiful practicality of her teaching has made Pema Chödrön one of the most beloved of contemporary American spiritual authors among Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. A collection of talks she gave between 1987 and 1994, the book is a treasury of wisdom for going on living when we are overcome by pain and difficulties. Chödrön discusses: Using painful emotions to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and courage. Communicating so as to encourage others to open up rather than shut down. Practices for reversing habitual patterns. Methods for working with chaotic situations. Ways for creating effective social action.